‘Practical Magic’ Prequel Series Coming to HBO Max

Practical Magic didn’t exactly set the world on fire when it opened in theaters in 1998. Despite the presence of mega-stars Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, the film grossed just $46 million in theaters; less than “flops” like Small Soldiers, U.S. Marshals, and Mighty Joe Young. But two decades of endless replays on cable has a habit of turning disappointments into cult classics, and now HBO Max — Warner Bros.’ upcoming streaming service — is expanding its lineup original programming with a prequel series called Rules of Magic, based on the same Alice Hoffman novel that inspired the film.

According to Variety, this show will be a prequel to the events featured in the film:

Set in 1960s New York City, the series follows three troubled siblings — Franny, Jet and Vincent Owens — who wrestle with “abnormalities” that have kept them isolated. But the tumultuous times unearth the extraordinary discovery that they are, in fact, descendants of a bloodline of witches. The two sisters will become the revered, and sometimes feared, aunts in “Practical Magic,” while their brother will leave an unexpected legacy

Perhaps most intriguing about the project: It’s being developed by Melissa Rosenberg, the creator of Netflix’s Jessica Jones, far and away the best of the Marvel Netflix series. HBO Max is expected to launch in the spring of 2020. Variety said the streaming service has ordered 10 scripts for the Practical Magic series.